Bumgarner sharp in breif-debut

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — San Francisco’s Madison Bumgarner allowed one hit in two scoreless innings in his first spring training outing as he prepares for a his first opening-day start, and a San Francisco Giants’ split squad defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 Friday.

Bumgarner, slated to pitch the opener at Arizona on March 31, struck out two and walked none.

Milwaukee’s Yovani Gallardo, aiming for his fifth opening-day start, gave up an infield hit, struck out one and walked none.

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke was impressed with the outing.

“I really liked the way the way he (Gallardo) threw the ball,” Roenicke said. He spotted his fastball really well. I really liked his curveball.”

Mark Minicozzi’s homer and Angel Pagan’s sacrifice fly gave San Francisco a 2-0 lead in the third against Tyler Thornburg.

Hector Gomez hit an RBI triple in the ninth off George Kontos and scored on a single by Matt Pagnozzi, who is with Milwaukee on a minor league contract.

Giants reliever Brett Bochy, manager Bruce Bochy’s son, gave up a home run to Caleb Gindl for Milwaukee’s first run.

CAUGHT AT THE PLATE

Catcher Buster Posey made his first start of the spring for the Giants and tagged a runner out at the plate for the first time since Major League Baseball enacted a new rule that will limit violent collisions at home.

When the Brewers’ Jeff Bianchi, who reached on a triple, made a bid to score on a grounder to first base by Scooter Gennett, Posey took the throw from Minicozzi, set up just a bit inside the baseline and slapped a quick tag on Bianchi, who made a popup slide.

Posey was a major proponent of the new rule after he sustained a season-ending injured in a play at the plate in 2011.

STARTING TIME

Brewers: Gallardo was working on pitch selection.

“Mostly fastballs. I threw some curveballs for first pitch, that was something I was going to be working on, and even doubled them up, first one to Posey, and then to (Michael) Morse,” he said. “Overall, it went pretty good.”

Giants: Bumgarner said his body felt good, “but my mechanics were just a bit off. That’s understandable at this point. I was just happy to be able to go out and get outs.’

As far as his schedule leading up to the opener is concerned, he said, “I feel pretty good where I’m at. There is not a lot to fine-tune before April.”

Ryan Vogelsong follwed Bumgarner and gave up one hit over two innings. He struck out one.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Brewers: Roenicke said 3B Aramis Ramirez “is progressing well” as he comes back from surgery in December to remove a non-cancerous polyp from his colon.

Giants: Left-hander Jeremy Affeldt, expected to be the team’s primary setup man out of the bullpen, will be eased back into game action after having surgery to repair muscle tears in his legs. He was scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday and will throw batting practice on Sunday.

STORMY WEATHER

A strong winter storm was expected to hit the Phoenix area late Friday night and threaten Saturday’s games. Right-hander Kyle Lohse, the scheduled starter for the Brewers’ spring home opener against the Dodgers, would get his work done in the covered cages if the game is rained out.

Bruce Bochy was not sure how his club, scheduled to play on the road against Oakland, would handle pitching chores.